Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 102

**BigRedChief** · 08:57 PM

St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM

St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited.

With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary.

Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat.
As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year.

That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run.
Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season.

Trevor Rosenthal
When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special.
Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run.

He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show.
In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs.
It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013.

Shelby Miller
The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show.
In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP.

Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that.
Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win.

Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013.

Joe Kelly
When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season.
Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates.

When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue.
In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen.
There's a good chance that could be his home in the future.

Mike Matheny
When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise.

He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes.
His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success.
True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager.

NLCS loss means more drive to win
While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player.
The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons.

What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner.

Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player.

The run was without several key components
In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season.
The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup.

The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint.

Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment.

They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan
Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were?

Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire.
Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team.
The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of.

No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape.
What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think.
After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months.

From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051

KC_Connection · 10-12-2012, 09:34 PM

Shit is getting real.

Simply Red · 10-12-2012, 09:34 PM

you guys will at least achieve extra innings. Excellent heart.

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 09:34 PM

1 run game. Delcaso goes deep

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Signed for only $65,000. Based on that, it looks like the Cardinals were really the only MLB team that knew about him (or at least the only one that cared enough to commit anything to him).

money well spent.

maybe he will be our next Pujols draft pick everyone passed over and we got lucky.

NJChiefsFan · 10-12-2012, 09:38 PM

I would say I am surprised by this but there is a reason you guys won it last year. Sports are amazing. If the Nationals had broken a 5 to 5 tie the place would be going nuts and it would feel like the game is over. Since they blew a 6 to 0 lead it feels like its destined to be tied.

Swanman · 10-12-2012, 09:42 PM

Hold the Nats and we have 2/3/4 against their closer. If there was ever a time for the middle of the lineup to wake up, this is it.

Jewish Rabbi · 10-12-2012, 09:44 PM

All you can ask for is 2/3/4 with a chance to tie.

Of course, all you could ask for is for Waino to start too...

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

I would say I am surprised by this but there is a reason you guys won it last year. Sports are amazing. If the Nationals had broken a 5 to 5 tie the place would be going nuts and it would feel like the game is over. Since they blew a 6 to 0 lead it feels like its destined to be tied.

These guys just dont give up. It's pretty cool to be a fan of a "tough" team, even if it is "baseball tough".

If I was a Nationals fan I'd be sweating bullets with Beltran, Holliday, Craig, Freese and Molina all coming up that can hit the ball out.

Jewish Rabbi · 10-12-2012, 09:45 PM

Don't understand why you throw Motte. Who goes in the 9th for a potential save?

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Don't understand why you throw Motte. Who goes in the 9th for a potential save?

He's throwing 2 innings.

Swanman · 10-12-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

Don't understand why you throw Motte. Who goes in the 9th for a potential save?

You want to give yourself the best chance to go in top of 9 with it still a one run game. If we tie or take the lead, then deal with it then.

Jewish Rabbi · 10-12-2012, 09:47 PM

Not to mention he sucks in non-save situations.

Jewish Rabbi · 10-12-2012, 09:48 PM

Nats blow it up here. Bad move Matheny.

NJChiefsFan · 10-12-2012, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

These guys just dont give up. It's pretty cool to be a fan of a "tough" team, even if it is "baseball tough".

If I was a Nationals fan I'd be sweating bullets with Beltran, Holliday, Craig, Freese and Molina all coming up that can hit the ball out.

Maybe I am biased since I have played baseball my whole life but I think in a way it is harder to be "tough" in baseball because you control so little. You can't field it just by choice, and you are only up 1 out of every 9 times, and even then your fate can be with the pitcher, umpire, fielders, and luck. There is a lot more effort to be mentally tough in baseball, because its so much more about belief than effort.

That song was cool by the Nats fans. As a Yanks fan my team went from mentally tough for 6 years to whatever that was for the next 10 or so. Now they are in the middle. 2011 Cards vs. 1996 Yankees would be something.

Swanman · 10-12-2012, 09:56 PM

That's what a 2-out hit looks like Cards. Jesus ****ing Christ.

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-631038 VARSITY	*Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread * St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012 Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited. With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary. Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat. As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year. That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run. Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season. Trevor Rosenthal When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special. Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run. He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show. In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs. It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013. Shelby Miller The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show. In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP. Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that. Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win. Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013. Joe Kelly When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season. Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates. When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue. In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen. There's a good chance that could be his home in the future. Mike Matheny When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise. He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes. His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success. True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager. NLCS loss means more drive to win While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player. The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons. What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner. Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player. The run was without several key components In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season. The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup. The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint. Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment. They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were? Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire. Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team. The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of. No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape. What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think. After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months. From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051 Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-24-2012 at 08:57 PM..
Posts: 81,274

10-12-2012, 09:34 PM	#1516
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $1682783	Shit is getting real.
Posts: 57,761

10-12-2012, 09:34 PM	#1517
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	you guys will at least achieve extra innings. Excellent heart.
Posts: 71,691

10-12-2012, 09:34 PM	#1518
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-631038 VARSITY	1 run game. Delcaso goes deep __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,274

10-12-2012, 09:38 PM	#1520
NJChiefsFan I've Made a Huge Mistake Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Casino cash: $4500423	I would say I am surprised by this but there is a reason you guys won it last year. Sports are amazing. If the Nationals had broken a 5 to 5 tie the place would be going nuts and it would feel like the game is over. Since they blew a 6 to 0 lead it feels like its destined to be tied.
Posts: 12,495

10-12-2012, 09:42 PM	#1521
Swanman It's a league game, Dude Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Itasca, IL Casino cash: $9967354	Hold the Nats and we have 2/3/4 against their closer. If there was ever a time for the middle of the lineup to wake up, this is it.
Posts: 4,719

10-12-2012, 09:44 PM	#1522
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1636750	All you can ask for is 2/3/4 with a chance to tie. Of course, all you could ask for is for Waino to start too...
Posts: 16,920

10-12-2012, 09:45 PM	#1524
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1636750	Don't understand why you throw Motte. Who goes in the 9th for a potential save?
Posts: 16,920

10-12-2012, 09:47 PM	#1527
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1636750	Not to mention he sucks in non-save situations.
Posts: 16,920

10-12-2012, 09:48 PM	#1528
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1636750	Nats blow it up here. Bad move Matheny.
Posts: 16,920

10-12-2012, 09:56 PM	#1530
Swanman It's a league game, Dude Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Itasca, IL Casino cash: $9967354	That's what a 2-out hit looks like Cards. Jesus ****ing Christ.
Posts: 4,719